Today it was 67 degrees, simply amazing for a January afternoon. Clear skies, light breeze, I must run.
My endorphins are soring and my step is light my spirits are high. My head roams free with drifting thoughts of loved ones and my clean shiny ride I just detailed.
I come to an intersection from a residential community, not mine, one with beautiful new single family homes with brick fronts. Children’s laughter behind me. I begin to cross this four lane road.
This car needs waxing. It must spend its days sitting underneath a tree. The hood is freckled with debrie…side shuffle to the right. skip back, back, quickly…
Am I playing backwards hop scotch?”
Please don’t hit my legs is all I can think, not my legs.
Back, skip, skip, back. Staring at the hood of the car, back back, avoiding that hood. In the middle of the lane on a busy road.
Will the driver ever notice me?
Will I be hit by another speeding down the road? 200 yards I see a silver mini van coming my way… 100 yards.
The attacking vehicle stops. Out of frustrations, I drop kick the hood of the car. Black rubber trail is left. I hope I left a dent. Dark on contact, then lighter on the white paint as my heel dragged toward my body. I look at my mark, with wicked contentment, right in the middle of the Honda’s headlights. It could have been my blood.
I stare at the driver that never gave me a cautionary glance when making that right on red.
Mid thirties, brunette, plain looking. Fear, regret, compassion, so many emotions were experienced. I saw them all when I looked straight into her eyes. Her hand over her heart, mouthing the words.
“I’m so sorry”
I left her as quickly as a came.
I was not significant to watch for before, but now you see me running away….I’m running away…still able to run. Thank you. I look over my shoulder. She is in shock, car frozen in the middle of the road. I run up the hill, you are still frozen. I bet you see me now. I’ll bet you will look for me now. I feel vindicated. I’m pumping my arms faster as I race up this hill.
Vindication. I make a left onto a bike path. Slow down, you don’t see me now. Breathe. I slow down. Oh my god.
My mind’s eye sees your face. I immerse myself in the emotions you must have felt.
If I was not so quick and nimble you could have hit me. I could have been a child. You could have seriously injured me today. I could have been a child.
You could have taken a life with your neglect. I hope she realizes that. I hope everyone that reads this realizes that.
Please don’t hit me.
Please watch out for humans.
